MADAGASCAR: REQUEST FOR USG CONTRIBUTION TO UN FLASH

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000362

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E-MBEYZEROV, AF/EX
USAID FOR FFP-JTAYLOR; OFDA-HHALE; AFR/EA-AMARCUS
PRETORIA FOR USAID AND OFDA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: REQUEST FOR USG CONTRIBUTION TO UN FLASH
APPEAL

REF: ANTANANARIVO 309


1. SUMMARY: This is an action request (see para 4). Six weeks after
the announcement of a United Nations flash appeal for immediate
relief and early recovery efforts in Madagascar (reftel),only two
percent of the requested USD 35.7 million has been pledged - and the
human suffering in this ongoing humanitarian disaster is worsening.
Post requests that the USG contribute urgently to the appeal, in
addition to the complementary programs being implemented by USAID.
This will help send the clear message that, while cutting all
assistance to the illegal government, the American people remain
committed to alleviating the suffering of the innocent Malagasy
victims of this disaster. END SUMMARY.


2. In the last five months, Madagascar has faced extraordinary
challenges on several fronts: a political crisis has toppled the
government and sent the economy into freefall, and the impact of
cyclone Jade, combined with an ongoing drought in the south, will
likely delay the May harvest by three months in several regions,
reducing local yields by 30 to 40 percent. Southern Madagascar
(Androy),where the Ambassador travelled last month to assess
personally the situation (after declaring a complex humanitarian
disaster),is especially affected by severe drought that has
devastated the normal cereals harvest. The United Nations has
requested USD 35.7 million to supply immediate emergency aid, and
launch recovery activities, to over three million people in major
population centers and rural areas in the south.


3. According to United Nations System Coordinator Xavier Leus, the
UN has received only 2 percent of the request. On May 8, the French
Ambassador announced that France would be making a "substantial
contribution", although no amount has yet been announced. USAID is
already preparing to engage in several complimentary efforts,
including the distribution of Title II direct food assistance in
collaboration with the World Food Program, and will be providing
disaster relief directly through NGOs. However, the UN has
identified a multitude of additional areas, including water,
sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, and health that still represent a
dire need in the face of an ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated
by the political situation. Reftel provides further details on the
individual elements of this flash appeal.


4. ACTION REQUESTED: Post requests that the Department and USAID
urgently locate the additional resources necessary for a direct USG
contribution to the UN appeal. The suffering behind this appeal is
real, widespread, and worsening. Politically, it is important for
the U.S. to be a significant part of this humanitarian response; not
responding at all while others do, in the current political context,
would be a mistake. Doing so will help send the clear message that,
while we are cutting all assistance to the illegal government in
response to the recent coup, we remain committed to alleviating the
suffering of the innocent Malagasy victims of this disaster. This
assistance will also post a significant and much-needed public
diplomacy tool for long-term impact in a very challenged climate.


MARQUARDT